Consider the following statements:
I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) as a member.
II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that MSP has identified.
III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licenses for certain critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.I and II only
- B.II and III only
- C.I and III only
- D.I, II and III
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: C. I and III only
India's membership in the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a significant development for securing supply chains of critical minerals. The amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in 2023 enhances the central government's ability to regulate and facilitate the auction of mining leases for these vital resources. However, India is not self-sufficient in all critical minerals identified by the MSP, necessitating international partnerships for resource security.
Source: UPSC gs1 2025